Golden Monkey Tracking in Uganda
Golden Monkey Tracking in Uganda : The Golden Monkeys Trekking in Uganda is one of the exception primate experience tourists do on their visit to Uganda Primates Safaris. Furthermore, golden monkeys are one of Uganda’s 20 primate’s species and could only be found in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park which is also part of the Virunga Mountains. When we compare golden monkeys with other monkey species, golden monkeys look gorgeous in appearance and more active. They have bright colored fur with long golden hair mixed with orange.
In the wild golden monkeys estimates currently stands between 2000 and 4000 individuals, since they are only found in the Virunga and have been classified as endangered. Golden monkeys live in troops of about 100 individuals lead by an Alpha male and mostly feed their diet on flowers, sprouts, lichens, bamboo shoots, small invertebrates and a variety of seasonal fruits.
Golden monkeys have been habituated for tourism and currently in Uganda’s Mgahinga Gorilla National the habituated troops are available for tracking. So then the semi habituated troops are also available for experiential tourism.
In fact, golden monkeys tracking is not as exhausting as gorilla tracking /trekking because the monkeys do not build new nests every day like gorillas does, so there is no need for pre-trackers to trace them every morning in their nature environment.
Golden Monkey Experiential tourism is new product for the travelers to Mgahinga Gorilla National park that allows them to have an insight and a great understanding of what it means to research, conserve and protect an endangered species in the 21the century and other challenges they face every day by the team out in the field. This experiential tourism gives tourist an understanding of why research is of importance and how conservation is very important of what is in the field, evening learning about primate life in the canopy and their habitat as well as other forest dwelling animal that share their home with the monkeys.
Generally, Golden Monkeys are unique in their appearance and every active in East Africa found on the slopes of the Virunga Volcanoes which shares between Rwanda, Uganda and Democratic Republic of Congo. In Uganda golden monkey tracking is done in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, located in the southwestern Uganda region, approximately 9 to 10 hours driving journey from south of Kampala by a recommended vehicle 4 wheels.
Golden monkey tracking experience is an active and a stunning activity tour compared to chimpanzee tracking, in way that golden monkeys tracking is done in the mountainous areas and they are continuously moving species which requires one tracking them to follow them as they feed, swing from different tree branches. They are small and fast in their movements and prefers to rummage through the bamboo sections of the forest because they like eating young bamboo shoots.
Furthermore, golden monkeys live in groups /troops of about 30 individuals that roam over a large territory in their nature jungle lead by the Alpha. One to engage in this activity of golden monkey tracking needs to hold permit which is advised to booked in advance to void disappointments on your visited day. How to do it, you might book your permit in advance by recognized tour agency, specify the date for which you would like to track these active golden monkeys.
Golden Monkey Tracking Experiences; Tracking starts early morning with briefing at 7am at the park headquarters before trackers start tracking in park’s trails. It’s a thrilling activity to meet these active primates in their home watch them as feeding around, playing on the tree branches. Once you find them an hour is given to you to spend with the golden monkeys after spotting them. The tracking can take 2hours and more depending on where they nested the previous night and how far from the starting point.
Uganda-Golden Monkeys Tracking fees stands at USD100 for Foreign nonresidents, USD90 for Foreign residents and East African resident UGX60,000 per track per day.
What to carry on Golden Monkey Tracking Safari-Uganda
On your trip to Uganda Primate Safari always tend carry such thing in order to enjoy the activity such useful essentials include; Insect repellent, enough mineral water bottle, day pay for your lunch just in case the track takes longer than expected, wear long sleeved shirts and trousers, waterproof hiking boots and a good mood and always remember to pick a walking stick at the briefing point of your hotel, you will appreciate the support done on the slippery paths.
However, Golden monkey tracking, is highly recommend to go along with a porter to provide information of the park with the day pack and the slippery places.
Apart from doing Golden monkey tracking, there are other activities to do in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park let’s say; Bird watching, Nature hikes, Mountain Gorilla trekking, Visiting Local communities and the Batwa Cultural trail among others.
Lastly, Golden Monkey Tracking in Uganda can only be done on Mgahinga Gorilla National Park a great location for Gorilla trekking along with Golden monkey tracking as well as a visit to Batwa community which has ranked a lot Uganda’s Mgahinga Gorilla national park on world hub because of the sweet numbers of primates do exists in the park
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